The Cherry Orchard at The Alnwick Garden has the largest collection of ‘Taihaku’ in the world. Comprising of 329 trees, they all bloom together for up to two weeks of the year.
Largest collection in the world
The Cherry Orchard, planted in 2008, has the largest collection of 329 Taihaku trees in the world.
Also known as the ‘Great White’, Taihaku are large and sturdy trees, that bloom for two weeks in spring with huge snow like clusters. In autumn the trees put on a wonderful show of red and gold when leaves turn a beautiful coppery colour.
In Japan, cherry blossom has a deep cultural significance and represents the exquisite beauty and also the fragility of life. All 329 trees in The Cherry Orchard are sponsored by visitors and supporters of The Alnwick Garden with a private dedication ceremony happening every year.
History of the Taihaku
In 1926 Captain Collingwood Ingram (“Cherry” Ingram) was invited to Japan to give a lecture to the Sakurakai (cherry society). Whilst there he was shown a picture in an 18th Century book of a large, white cherry blossom that had become extinct. He recognised the same blossom on a cherry tree which had been imported to a Sussex garden in 1899 and was able to take cuttings from it. Ingram became known as ‘Cherry’ Ingram as he was instrumental in re-introducing the lost Taihaku to Japan in 1932.
All of the Taihaku in cultivation today are off-spring of that cherry tree in Sussex.
In Japan, cherry blossom has a deep cultural significance and represents the exquisite beauty and also the fragility of life.
CHERRY BLOSSOM GIN
NEW AND IMPROVED RECIPE.
Totally exclusive to The Alnwick Garden is our Cherry Blossom Gin
This handmade gin is inspired by the Taihaku Cherry Orchard at The Alnwick Garden, which has the largest collection of Taihaku in the world. Comprising of 329 trees, they all bloom together for up to two weeks around the end of April/beginning of May. Locally distilled by an award winning distillery.
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